(21) “Do you not see that Allah sends down water from the sky and channels it into springs in the earth? Then by it He brings forth crops of varying colors. Then they wither, and you see them turn yellow; then He reduces them to chaff. Surely in that is a reminder for people of understanding.”

Allah Most High reminds people of understanding of the water He sends down from the sky and channels into springs in the earth; that is, He stores it there in springs from which it can be drawn with ease. “Then by it He brings forth crops of varying colors,” including wheat, maize, barley, rice, and other crops. “Then they wither,” either upon reaching maturity or when blight strikes them, “and you see them turn yellow; then He reduces them to chaff”—broken into fragments. “Surely in that is a reminder for people of understanding.” Through it, they are reminded of their Lord’s care and mercy toward His servants: He has made this water readily available to them and stored it in the earth’s reservoirs according to their needs.

Through it, they are also reminded of the perfection of His power and that He will bring the dead to life just as He revived the earth after its death. They are further reminded that the One who does all this is alone deserving of worship.

O Allah, make us among the people of understanding whom You have extolled by mentioning them, whom You have guided through the intellect You bestowed upon them, and to whom You have shown mysteries of Your Book and wonders of Your signs that others have not attained. Truly, You alone are the Bestower.